President John Dramani Mahama has eulogised two departed paramount chiefs in the Upper West Region for the tremendous roles they played in the socio-economic development of northern Ghana and the country at large, during their long years on their various skins.
They were the Kaleo Naa, Naa Banamini Sandu II, who reigned for 34 years, and the Walembele Kuoro, Kuoro Kygie Mumuni Dimbie II, who sat on the skin for 40 years.
President Mahama, who received separate delegations from the two traditional areas that informed him about funeral arrangements of their respective paramount chiefs, said the history of the Upper West Region and northern Ghana could not be written without the names of the two eminent chiefs.
Naa Sandu
Known in private life as Isaac Nadau Banamini, the paramount chief who died on February 17, 2014 at the age of 75, was one of the first generation of northern Ghanaians who were instrumental in the push for the advancement of the area.
He held a number of positions including the Vice-President of the National House of Chiefs and a board member of the National Commission on Culture.
Funeral
President Mahama said the government would be fully represented at the funeral on May 3, 2014.
He said the chief lived a life worthy of a traditional ruler.
“He performed his traditional duties creditably and we have cause to celebrate his life,” he added.
Mr Mahama said Naa Sandu had a deep understanding of chieftaincy and national issues.
“I had several experiences with him and he had a sharp mind. He gave me pieces of advice, which proved useful to me,” the president said.
Kuoro Dimbie
The President said the chief, who died at the ripe age of 96, was a colleague of his father, saying they formed part of a group that was instrumental in educational development of the northern territories.
He said when the colonial administration tried to use the people of northern Ghana for menial jobs and enlist them into the police and military, the chief and his colleagues at the time fought for their people to be educated instead.
Kuoro Dimbie won parliamentary elections in 1956 to become a Member of Parliament (MP) on the ticket of the Northern People’s Party (NPP), and in 1969 on the ticket of the Progress Party (PP).
His funeral is fixed for May 9.
Emulation
President Mahama stressed the need for today’s politicians to emulate the good works of past politicians.
The two delegations were led to the Flagstaff House by the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Bede Zeideng. Also present were MPs from the region, and a senior Presidential Advisor, Alhaji Baba Kamara.
